Ore separator



June 12, 1928.

W. C. EGGERT ORE SEPARATOR Original Filed Feb. 24, 1922 2 Sheeis-Sheet I lwvewlioz, a a'ew b mubbw 6.

June 12, 1928.

W. C. EGGERT ORE SEPARATOR Original Filed Feb. 24, 1922 2 Sh efLs-Shg'h 2 Pat ent e cl June 12, 1928 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER C. EGGERT, OF LA. TOUCHE, TERRITORY OF ALASKA.

ORE SEPARATOR.

Application filed February 24, 1922, Serial No. 538,938. Renewed April 28, 1928.

My invention relates to ore separators of the type used in methods involving the concentration of the values and their segregation in the form of froth by flotation.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide means of creating an eflective froth .in the body of fluid'in which is carried'in suspension the ores and the floating agents. It is intended that the delivery of the air jet to the bodyof fluid shall be accomplished without the necessity of high powered blowers. It is a further object of my invention to improve the manner in which air is injected into the solution and mixed with the ores present.

My invention is'adapted for the economical and efiicient production of froth containing the greater portion of the values and the separation of this froth from the stream of gangue. The mechanism provides a plurality of successively operating cells cooperating in the complete separation of the values from the ores, which series of cells may be maintained in continuous operation while one of the cells is inactive or undergoing repair.

One form in which my invention may be carried out is given in the following description and illustrated in the drawings inwhich Fig. 1 is alongitudinal vertical section taken on the line 1, 1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2, 2 of the Fig. 3; and

Fig. 3 is a section of one cell on'line 3 -3 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Each of the cells A, B and 0 shown in Fig. 1 is a complete operating unit for the production and separation of froth. These units are arranged in a longitudinal series the material leaving one cell being received and acted upon by each succeeding cell successively. Suitable means are provided for feeding the initial cell with a fluid stream of the ore. Means are also provided for carrying 0d the gangue from the last cell.

The cells are constructed as rectangular boxes of wood or analogous material. Each cell includes a bottom 4. end walls 5 and 6, and side walls 7 and 8. A platform 9 is mounted upon the side and end walls to support the operating mechanism of the cell.

Substantially midway of the height of the side wall 7 is'the transverse stationary table 10. This table 10 extends laterally of the cell and terminates in the vertical partition 11. An inverted conical bowl 12 is set into the table 10 and extends down to the bottom 4.

The platform 9 carries a motor 13 which operates an air blower it. The delivery pipe 15 of the blower is disposed centrally over the bowl 12 and extends downwardly through the bowl terminating in nozzle 16.

' A plurality of conduits 17, 17 are carried horizontally through the side walls of the bowl 12 and connect with a central vertical pipe 18- surrounding the nozzle 16. A cover 19 rests upon the pipe 18 the lower end of which is open and spaced from the bottom of the bowl 12. The'conduits 17 terminate in elbows 20, 20 within the chamber 21 formed between the casing and the bowl 12. The inlets of the elbows 20, 20 are spaced from the bottom 4.

Running longitudinally of the cell between the outer wall 8 and the vertical partition 11 is the box 22. The upper end of this box has a transverse wall 23 extending between members 8 and 11. A gatevalve 24 is set in the wall 23 being pivoted thereto by the pivot 25. A link 26 loosely fastened to the gate valve 2+1 by the pin 27 connects with the rod 28. The latter is vertically adjustable in the sleeve 29 mounted upon platform 9, the adjustment being accomplished by the Wheel 30 screw'threaded on the rod 28.

That portion of the par'tition'll which extends between the walls 5 and 23 carries a similar gate valve 31 operable through link 32, rod 33 and wheel 34. The gate valve 24 is above the level of the table 10 while gate valve 31 is beneath the same and connects with the chamber 21.

The upper edge of the outer Wall 8 is sloped to form a lip as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. A trough 35 is supported outside of wall 8.. A skimmer 36 consisting of a blade fastened to wall 6 and wall 8 projects up from the'level of the tluid passing'through the box 22.

In operation the stream of water carrying the ore values in suspension is fed into the box 22. [t is obvious that this box may be either the outlet for a preceding unit or it may be the end of -a sluice-way. In either case the operation of the unit shown in the drawings is the same. The gate valve 31 being opened the fluid will fill the compartment 21 substantially to the level indicated in the drawings. A low pressure stream of air through nozzle 16 is brought into intimate contact with the liquid which flows stream so as to be present during its treatment in each cell. The intimate contact of the air stream with the body of.fluid at the mouth of the conduit 18 serves to create a froth, the bubbles of which are effective in]- mediately to attach the particles of values and raise them to the surface of the material in bowl 12. The proportions of the con-- duit 17. and jet 16 are arranged to insure effective suction of the fluid from the compartment 21 and its treatment by the air carried through the jet. The body of froth upon the fluid in the bowl 12 accumulates and passes over the partition 11 with the pulp into the box 22.

In the box 22 the fluid isat rest for such length of time as is necessary to bring the froth entirely to the top surface. The cur rent of fluid is toward the right in Fig. 3 and the froth is engaged by the skimmer 36. The blade of the skimmer deflects the froth outwardly to the sloping edge of wall 8 over which the froth is delivered into the trough 35. The froth is then appropriately treated for the collection of the values and the recovery of the frothing agents. The stream is then fed through appropriate gate valves into a succeeding cell where the operations of frothing and flotation are repeated. In

' the event that it is desired to overhaul or repair one cell of a series, such cell may be rendered inoperative by closing gate valve 31 and opening gate valve 24. The stream then passes directly from box 22 of one cell to box 22 of the next cell and thence into the succeeding compartment 21 for treatment. By the use of the above apparatus it is possible to use a jet of air of low pressure operating directly upon the stream of ore in suspension. This air jet may be produced by independent motor means which may be rendered inoperative without affecting other cells in the series. The contact between the jet, the frothing agent and the ore is main tained under the most favorable conditions for producing an effective froth. The manner of delivering the stream to the area surrounding the jet insures that all of the fluid will be brought within the influence of the jet and the frothing agents.

Particular attention is'invited to the relafroth in order to entrain tion of parts whereby the conduit 17 delivers the pulp uniformly around the downwardly extending jet 16 and above the end of said jet. In this manner the jet serves to draw into the compartment 12 a constant flow of pulpnniformly around the jet. The air escaping. from the jet must travel downwardly to passout of the pipe 18. Consequently the air is forced down against the rising tendency of the bubbles. This gradual travel in a downward direction prolongs the contact between thefroth and the pulp before the upward travel through compartment 12 can leecommenced. At the same time the proximity of the jet and the outlet from pipe 18 to the bottom of the compartment 12 is such as to spread .out the froth and pulp and thus promote their intimate admixture. The resulting effect is not to be confused with the mere release of a jet of air at the bottom of a chamber, relying solely upon the upward travel of the bubbles of particles of the p p- While one preferred modification of my invention has been described above, it will be apparent .that changes may be made in minor details without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is: 4

1. In an apparatus of the class described,a tank having a cover, an inner compartment recessed in said cover, a conduit'between the tank and compartment, an over-flow channel leading from said inner compartment and cover, and pneumatic means inducing current flow from said tank downwardly into said compartment and over said cover into the over-flow channel.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a tank, an inner compartment, a fluid conduit havin its inlet near the bottom of the tank and having its outlet centrally and downwardly disposed in the inner compartment, and pneumatic frothing means inducing fluid flow from said tank downwardly.

into said compartment and agitating the material in the compartment.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

WALTER C. EGGERT. 

